International Conference onTechnological Readiness for Innovation-based Competitiveness 29-30 June 2009 Conference Room XI, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Conference Room XI, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Can information and communication technology (ICT) and innovation support sustainable growth in a time of economic crisis? Does ICT offer new business opportunities in this turbulent environment? What are the new approaches to open innovation? How can public policy give better support to small innovative ICT-based businesses?

These are some of the issues to be addressed by the International Conference on Technological Readiness for Innovation-based Competitiveness which will open at 10 a.m. on 29 June.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an integral part of the knowledge-based economy and acts as a bridge to innovation-based competitiveness. ICT and ICT-related innovations make the activities of firms more competitive, facilitate international trade and contribute to energy efficiency. At the firm level, ICT has contributed to a new type of innovation process. This process has become more open as ideas and knowledge for innovation are now drawn from many, often global sources, linkages and cooperation. ICT has also helped to create new business opportunities for innovative enterprises, supporting the development of a new type of ICT-enabled activities.

Organized in cooperation with the teams of specialists on Innovation and Competitiveness Policies and on Intellectual Property, the conference will seek to facilitate a broad discussion of good practices and policies for promoting ICT-driven innovation. It will also make policy recommendations on enabling ICT and ICT-related innovation policies.

For further information, please contact:

Michiko Enomoto

Economic Affairs Officer

UNECE Economic Cooperation and Integration Division

Phone +41-22-917-5989

Fax: +41-22-917-0178

E-mail: michiko.enomoto@unece.org

Ref: ECE/ECID/09/P04